Squirrel call



March 3, 1953 G. L. HERTER 2,629,968

SQUIRREL. CALL Filed Sept. 27, 1950 IN VEN TOR.

.11. H 7 Bgeoye er er Y WM ATTOR/Vf) I Patented Mar. 3, 1953 UNITED STATES FATENT ()FFICE SQUIRREL CALL 7 George L. Herter, Waseca, Minn; v Application September 27, 1950, Serial No; 187,093

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in sportsmens accessories and is directed particularly to an improved squirrel call.

The present invention has iora primary object to provide an improved device 7 for calling, or luring, squirrels, which device is so designed that it can be conveniently operated and will produce a natural sounding bark and Chatter in accurate imitation of the sounds made by squirrels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sound making instrument of the character set forth which is strongly constructed and cannot get out of order through careless or rough handling.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an instrument of the character stated which is simple in design and construction and may therefore be inexpensively produced and marketed.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification with the understanding, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described since obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a view in perspective of a squirrel call constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing the striker in striking position.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the body, showing the reed removed.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the body with the reed removed.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of a modified :form of the invention.

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 68 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a view in perspective of a second modified form.

Figure 8 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 88 of Figure '7.

Referring more particularly to the drawing one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, wherein the numeral t designates the body of the instrument which is preferably formed of wood, but may be made of a number or" other suitable materials such as plastic, metal or glass.

As shown the body Ill is generally rectangular,

, 2 except that it is here illustrated as having rounded ends H. Otherwise it is in the formof a rectangular body having a fiat top [2 and bottom It, with vertical, flat front and back-walls l4 and i5 respectively. p

The body It, is thus substantially square in cross section, as shown in Figure 2. v

In the top of the body is formed the long chamber l6, which is also rectangular, as shown in Figure 3. This chamber is formed close to the front side [4 of the body so that the front wall Ma of the chamber is relatively thin.

At each end of the chamber IE and along the back part thereof, the top It is out down to form the shallow end and back ledges I! and it respectively.

The front wall I ia of the chamber has its top edge out down, or recessed as at E9. This recess extends into the end ledges l1 across the major part of the width of the ledges as shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4.

The numeral 20 designates a thin metal sounding reed plate, the thickness of which is about the same as the depth of the ledges ll and H! below the top l2 of the body 10.

The plate 20 lies upon the ledges l l and I8 and completely covers the sound chamber IS. The plate is secured in position on the ledges by two screws 2! which pass through the plate at the back corners thereof and penetrate the material of the body 10.

The plate is of a greater width than the recessed space in which it lies so that a portion of the plate along its front longitudinal edge projects, as at 28c, slightly beyond the front side 14. This projecting edge provides the striking edge against which is hit the roughened or knurled surface of a striker bar 22, which may be formed of metal, porcelain, glass or plastic.

In the use of the call, the body H) is held in the hand with the metal reed plate 20 uppermost and the striking edge of the reed is struck by the roughened striker 22 with a quick sharp blow or by drawing the striker across the edge 26a. By this means the chattering sound made by a squirrel may be produced, or the sound can be made to imitate the bark of the animal.

In Figures 5 and 6 a modified form of the instrument is shown wherein the body Illa is provided with a sound emitting opening or window 23, formed in, or through, one or each of the ends of the body and opening into the sound chamber Ilia. The instrument is otherwise exactly like the first described form.

Another form of the instrument is shown in 3 Figures 7 and 8, wherein the body 10b has a sound emitting window, or opening 24, formed in either the front or back of the body, or both the front and back, and opening into the sound chamber lfib. Otherwise the instrument is exactly the same as the first described form.

The space provided between the front edge of the reed plate and the top edge of the wall Ma, by the recess l9 providesa sound emitting opening or window, as will be readily understood.

By the provision of the sound emitting windows the user of the instrument may modify the sounds created by covering and uncovering the openings with the fingers while striking the edge of the reed with the bar 22.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that there is provided by the present invention an instrument which is simple in construction, strong and durable, and easy to operate.

I claim:

1. A squirrel call of the character described comprising an elongate body of a size to be held in one hand, the body having a flat top, a rectangular chamber in the body and opening through the top thereof, said chamber, along one side thereof, being close to one side of the body providing a thin wall along said one side of "the chamber, the top of the body being cut away across thetwo ends of the chamber and along the other side of the chamber forming a shallow recess providing flat shoulders, the said thin wall having its top edge cut away to a depth below said shoulders, and a long, flat reed of metal lying in said recess upon said shoulders and covering said chamber and the cut away edge of the wall, the reed being of a width to have a portion of one edge extending beyond said wall to be engaged by a suitable striking element.

2. A squirrel call as set forth in claim 1, wherein the body has a window opening formed therein and opening into said chamber.

3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said thin wall is provided with an elongate opening leading into the chamber.

GEORGE L. HERTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 471,046 Wilskey Mar. 15, 1892 651,752 Draughon June 12, 1900 713,316 Lawrence Nov. 11, 1902 2,515,023 Thomson July 11, 1950 

